Understanding knee pain
Knee pain covers everything from patellofemoral irritation at the front, to tendon problems, to meniscal and arthritic changes within the joint. Each has a different history and behaves differently under load.
What they share is that the knee has limited ability to control its own position. It largely does what the hip and the foot tell it to do, which is why assessing the knee in isolation misses so much.
Signs you might notice
- Pain around or behind the kneecap on stairs and hills
- Aching after sitting for long periods
- Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the joint
- Giving way, catching or locking
- Pain that builds during a run or walk rather than starting suddenly
Common contributing factors
- Hip and glute weakness allowing the knee to fall inwards
- Foot posture altering the alignment of the leg
- Rapid increases in training or activity
- Previous injury changing how you load that side
- Arthritic change within the joint
How we assess and treat it
We assess the knee thoroughly, then look above and below it. Pressure mapping shows what the foot is doing, and the DIERS 4D scan shows how your pelvis and spine behave while you walk, which frequently explains a knee that has resisted local treatment.
Only once we know where the load is coming from do we decide what the knee itself needs.
- Hands-on treatment for the knee and surrounding tissue
- Progressive strengthening for hip, thigh and calf
- Gait retraining and running technique work
- Foot and orthotic input where the ground contact matters
- Staged return to sport or activity
Common questions
Is knee pain always arthritis?
No. Plenty of knee pain, particularly in people under fifty, is a loading or control problem rather than joint damage. Even where arthritis exists, how you load the joint strongly influences symptoms.
Do I need an MRI?
Usually not. Imaging often reveals findings that are common in people with no pain. We image when it will change the plan, rather than routinely.
Can knee pain come from my feet?
Yes, quite commonly. That link is one of the clearest arguments for assessing the whole chain rather than the painful part alone.